Van Conner, the bassist, songwriter and co-founder of the alternative rock band Screaming Trees, passed away Tuesday after a long illness. He was 55.
His brother and bandmate Gary Lee Conner announced the news on social media, writing: “It ended up being pneumonia. He was one of the best friends I ever had and I loved him dearly. I will remember him forever and ever. miss. and ever.”
The brothers formed Screaming Trees with vocalist Mark Lanegan (who died the previous year at age 57) and drummer Mark Pickerel in 1984. Barrett Martin replaced Pickerel in 1991. The band’s discography includes eight studio albums and several EPs, including Buzz factory, Sweet oblivion, Invisible lanternand Uncle Anesthesiathe latter of which was co-produced by Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell.
Screaming Trees’ notable songs include “Nearly Lost You,” which was famously featured in Cameron Crowe’s 1992 grunge-era romantic film Single people“All I Know” and “Clairvoyance.”
After several hiatuses, they released their latest album, Last words: the last recordings, in 2011. The members of the group moved on to solo projects, with Van Conner tending his band Gardener alongside Seaweed’s Aaron Stauffer. He also managed side project Solomon Grundy during his tenure with Screaming Trees, releasing an eponymous album in 1990.
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